Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic that is also driving the marked increase in Type 2 diabetes across the globe.? While it is easily recognizable clinically, and readily measurable in the United States, a feature that is not well recognized is the central adiposity that may be the only or primary feature in South East Asian communities.? Thus it is imperative for clinicians to be brought up do date in order for preventative or therapeutic modalities are introduced early in the disease process.
This issue of Medical Clinics of North America covers numerous clinical aspects of obesity including metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, the link with cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, and hypertension.? Several treatment modalities are covered including diet, exercise, cognitive and behavioral approaches, medications, and surgery.

In a rapidly evolving and extremely important area of medical science, it is often difficult for the student, teacher, and researcher to keep abreast of all the important advances. The purpose of Molecular Biology ofDiabetes, Parts I and II is to bring to these individuals the latest knowledge of diabetes-related research in a comprehensive, yet concise manner. To this end, we have assembled chapters, written by most of the world's experts in the field, that we believe compre hensively survey and synthesize a coherent understanding of the subject. Studies of the etiology of type I and type II diabetes are extremely exciting and essential, since we hope to one day prevent the disease using gene therapy. These aspects are covered in Molecular Biology of Diabetes: I. Autoimmunity and Genetics; Insulin Synthesis and Secretion. In type II diabetes, an abnormality in pancreatic secretion exists concomitantly with peripheral insulin resistance. This abnor mality of insulin secretion is believed to be related to a defect(s) in glucose sensing. Uncoupling of glucose sensing from insulin secre tion may be the crucial step in the pathogenesis of noninsulin-depen dent diabetes. In this volume, we have invited authors to describe their studies on all known factors affecting -cell function, including autoimmunity and genetics of diabetes, as well as molecular mecha nisms of insulin synthesis and secretion. In the last few years, the most rapidly advancing area of research in diabetes has been, in fact, related to insulin action."

Insulin-like growth factors are ubiquitously expressed and are crucial for growth and function of almost all cells. Together with their binding proteins and receptors, they form a widely studied biological system involving many proteins and characterized by complex interactions. In addition to its significance in growth and development, the insulin-like growth factor system also has important roles in a wide variety of pathological states. This has led to interest in the therapeutic potential of insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins as candidate drug targets.
This comprehensive book contains current information on both basic science and clinical aspects of IGFs and their regulatory proteins, with emphasis on their relevance to cancer.

There is a world-wide epidemic on obesity. This epidemic is driving the immense proportions of Type 2 diabetes across the globe. While there are numerous therapies for treating Type 2 diabetes, the most effective therapy is prevention. Prevention of Type 2 diabetes can be achieved properly by simultaneous prevention of obesity. Prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome, is the period between simple obesity and diabetes, and this critical period needs to be identified in a more consistent and systematic manner by clinicians worldwide. Clinical trials have indicated that diabetes prevention can be achieved by lifestyle changes and also by certain medications, though none are yet approved for use in prevention. On the other hand, there are funding agencies such as the NIH, CDC, and State Institutions that are interested in studying the prevention paradigms in different communities and ethnic minorities who are most prone to this epidemic. For these reasons, this title by renowned physician-scientist Derek LeRoith is both timely and vitally important for academic physicians, practitioners, allied health care providers, analysts, community activists, and all others interested in this increasing epidemic. This book provides a unique and comprehensive synthesis of the prevention and early diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, focusing on identifying risk factors and then moving into topics that address how to prevent their progression to full-blown diabetes. The difficult task of changing patients' behavior is given special emphasis. The chapters in this practical volume are written by a wide range of international experts, reflecting the editor's distinguished, internationally renowned career. The volume is organized in eight sections: an introduction to the overall issue of prevention, definitions of values based on ADA guidelines, pathophysiology, discussion of a range of interventional trials regarding prevention, and an overview of state-of-the-art clinical management approaches. Comprehensive and timely, Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: From Science to Therapy is an essential reference for those treating and researching Type 2 Diabetes.

These comprehensive yet concise collections of articles by world experts survey the latest findings on the molecular biology of diabetes and insulin action and synthesize a coherent understanding of the subject. Topics include the etiology of type I and type II diabetes, molecular and cellular aspects of insulin action, and the mechanism of the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.

The Year Book of Medicine brings you abstracts of the articles that reported the year's breakthrough developments in medicine, carefully selected from more than 500 journals worldwide. Expert commentaries evaluate the clinical importance of each article and discuss its application to your practice. Chapters include Rheumatology; Infectious Disease; Hematology and Oncology; Kidney, Water, and Electrolytes; Pulmonary Disease; Heart and Cardiovascular Disease; The Digestive System; and Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.

This book explores the insulin-like growth factor system and its vital role in cancer development and progression. Topics covered include biology, epidemiology and the therapeutic potential of inhibiting receptors using newly discovered antibodies and kinase inhibitors.

Structure, Expression, and Regulation of the IGF-I Gene.- Differential Regulation of IGF-I Leader Exon Transcription.- Insulin and IGF-I Analogs: Novel Approaches to Improved Insulin Pharmacokinetics.- Analysis of the Interaction of Igf-I Analogs with the IGF-I Receptor and IGF Binding Proteins.- Synthesis and Characterization of IGF-II Analogs: Applications in the Evaluation of IGF Receptor Function and IGF-Independent Actions of IGFBPS.- Towards Identification of a Binding Site on Insulinlike Growth Factor-II for IGF-Binding Proteins.- Transcriptional and Post-Transcriptional Regulation of the Human IGF-II Gene Expression.- Significant Species Differences in Local IGF-I and -II Gene Expression.- Transcriptional Regulation of the Insulin Receptor Gene Promoter.- The Regulation of IGF-I Receptor Gene Expression by Positive and Negative Zinc-Finger Transcription Factors.- Cell Cycle Control by the IGF-1 Receptor and Its Ligands.- The Insulin Receptor Family.- IRR: a Novel Member of the Insulin Receptor Family.- Molecular Properties of Insulin/IGF-1 Hybrid Receptors.- Immunological Studies of Type I IGF Receptors and Insulin Receptors: Haracterisation of Hybrid and Atypical Receptor Subtypes.- Insulin like Growth Factor 1 Receptor Signal Transduction to the Nucleus.- Molecular Cloning of pp120/ ECTO-ATPase, An Endogenous Substrate of the Insulin Receptor Kinase.- The Insulin-like Growth Factor-II/mannose-6-Phosphate Receptor: Structure, Function and Differential Expression.- Parental Imprinting of the Genes for IGF-II and Its Receptor.- Multihormonal Regulation of IGFBP-1 Promoter Activity.- Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1: Identification, Purification, and Regulation in Fetal and Adult Life.- Rapid Regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 Transcription by Insulin In Vito and In Vivo.- IGF Binding Protein-3 and the ACID-labile Subunit: Formation of the Ternary Complex In Vitro and In Vivo.- Role of Post Translational Modifications in Modifying the Biologic Activity of Insulin like Growth Factor Binding Proteins.- Cellular Actions of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3.- Gene Expression of the IGF Binding Proteins during Post-Implantation Embryogenesis of the Mouse: Comparison with the Expression of IGF-I and -II and Their Receptors in Rodent and Human.- Hormonal Regulation of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-1 Expression and the Development of Transgenic Mouse Models to Study IGFBP-1 Function.- Limited Proteolysis of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3 (IGFBP-3): A Physiological Mechanism in the Regulation of IGF Bioavailability.- Effects of Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-I) Administrations on Serum IGF Binding Proteins (IGFBPS) in Patients with Growth Hormone Deficiency.- Metabolic Effects of rhIGF-1 in Normal Human Subjects.- IGFS and Muscle Differentiation.- IGF-II in the Pathogenesis of Rhabdomyosarcoma: a Prototype of IGFS Involvement in Human Tumorigenesis.- The Physiology and Pathophysiology of IGF-I in the Kidney.- Regulation of IGFBP-4 and -5 Expression in Rat Granulosa Cells.- Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF) Binding Protein-1 Is an Antigonadotropin: Evidence that Optimal Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Action in Ovarian Granulosa Cells Is Contingent upon Amplification by Endogenously-Derived IGFS.- Insulin-like Growth Factor-I and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins in the Zucker Fatty Rat: a case for Differential Tissue Regulation.- Characterization of the IGF Regulatory System in Bone.- Regulation of IGF Activity in Bone.

The book will detail the history, successes, and failures of targeted therapies for cancer, with a particular focus on IGF systems and cancer.

The study of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) family has become an exciting area of investigation. Initially, this family consisted of ligands (insulin, IGF-I and IGF-m and receptors (the insulin receptor, the type I or IGF-I receptor and the type II or IGF-IYM-6-P receptor). Subsequently, it was discovered that six specific binding proteips (lGFBPs 1-6) playa major role in the actions of this growth factor family. In addition, there are now more potential receptors when one considers the possible roles of the insulin-receptor related receptor (IRR) and hybrid receptor dimers composed of insulin and IGF-I receptor (half-receptors). Another important aspect of this area of research is the realization that the IGFs are not only essential for normal growth and development but, in addition play an important role in the normal specialized function(s) of all tissues of the body, including the nervous system, skeleton, reproductive system, kidney, and the immune system, to name but a few. The development of recombi tant human IGF-I for clinical testing has been a major breakthrough for investigators. Potential uses include wound healing, reversal of catabolic states, diabetes, bone remodeling, recovery from acute renal failure and many others. will determine both its use and its potential hazards.

In a rapidly evolving and extremely important area of medical science, it is often difficult for the student, teacher, and researcher to keep abreast of all the important advances. The purpose of Molecular Biology ofDiabetes, Parts I and II is to bring to these individuals the latest knowledge of diabetes-related research in a comprehensive, yet concise manner. To this end, we have assembled chapters, written by most of the world's experts in the field, that we believe compre hensively survey and synthesize a coherent understanding of the subject. Studies of the etiology of type I and type II diabetes are extremely exciting and essential, since we hope to one day prevent the disease using gene therapy. These aspects are covered in Molecular Biology of Diabetes: I. Autoimmunity and Genetics; Insulin Synthesis and Secretion. In type II diabetes, an abnormality in pancreatic secretion exists concomitantly with peripheral insulin resistance. This abnor mality of insulin secretion is believed to be related to a defect(s) in glucose sensing. Uncoupling of glucose sensing from insulin secre tion may be the crucial step in the pathogenesis of noninsulin-depen dent diabetes. In this volume, we have invited authors to describe their studies on all known factors affecting ~-cell function, including autoimmunity and genetics of diabetes, as well as molecular mecha nisms of insulin synthesis and secretion. In the last few years, the most rapidly advancing area of research in diabetes has been, in fact, related to insulin action.

An essential element in the development and functional integrity of all organisms is intercellular communication. This is achieved by the secretion of soluble messenger molecules which subsequently interact with receptor-effector pathways in the responsive cells. Hormones are traditionally defined as chemical messengers synthesized by endocrine glands. Unlike hormones produced by endocrine glands, growth factors are hormone-related substances produced by many tissues and play an important role in controlling growth and development. While the exact physiological roles of growth factors have yet to be elucidated, they play important roles in the regulation of cellular proliferation and/or differentiation during ontogenesis, growth and differentiation. During recent years there has been a substantial increase in research related to peptide growth factors, their receptors, and modes of action. With the discovery and characterization of numerous growth factors, it became clear that these growth factors had multiple features in common with classic hormones as well as with oncogenes. Furthermore, there are distinct families of growth factors based either on structural or functional similarities.

This volume addresses a fundamental puzzle in biology and medicine, namely, how does tissue develop, repair and replace itself. The answer appears to lie in growth factors and their regulation. To thrive and survive we need growth factors and this book concentrates on two factors that are related to growth hormone. Growth hormone does not act directly on all tissues, but mediates many of its actions through the release of insulin-like growth factors from the liver. The growth factors were originally called somatomedins by McConaghey and Sledge (1), who discovered that they mediated growth-like effects of growth hormone. However, the factors were purified on the basis of their insulinomimetic actions on fat and muscle and it is their relationship to the insulin family of pep tides that now gives them their name (2,3) of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). They mediate the actions of. growth hormone on the proteoglycan synthesis of cartilage and produce mitogenic effects in fibroblast cultures.

This book addresses diabetes controversies, specifically in the management of etiology and the disease itself. Chapters also examine the complications associated with diabetes. The volume covers commonly accepted forms of therapies and complications, as well as new and emerging advances and therapies and inadequacies in several standard treatments. Comprehensive and timely, this book is an essential reference for those treating and researching diabetes.

This book addresses diabetes controversies, specifically in the management of etiology and the disease itself. Chapters also examine the complications associated with diabetes. The volume covers commonly accepted forms of therapies and complications, as well as new and emerging advances and therapies and inadequacies in several standard treatments. Comprehensive and timely, this book is an essential reference for those treating and researching diabetes.

There is a world-wide epidemic on obesity. This epidemic is driving the immense proportions of Type 2 diabetes across the globe. While there are numerous therapies for treating Type 2 diabetes, the most effective therapy is prevention. Prevention of Type 2 diabetes can be achieved properly by simultaneous prevention of obesity. Prediabetes, or metabolic syndrome, is the period between simple obesity and diabetes, and this critical period needs to be identified in a more consistent and systematic manner by clinicians worldwide. Clinical trials have indicated that diabetes prevention can be achieved by lifestyle changes and also by certain medications, though none are yet approved for use in prevention. On the other hand, there are funding agencies such as the NIH, CDC, and State Institutions that are interested in studying the prevention paradigms in different communities and ethnic minorities who are most prone to this epidemic. For these reasons, this title by renowned physician-scientist Derek LeRoith is both timely and vitally important for academic physicians, practitioners, allied health care providers, analysts, community activists, and all others interested in this increasing epidemic. This book provides a unique and comprehensive synthesis of the prevention and early diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, focusing on identifying risk factors and then moving into topics that address how to prevent their progression to full-blown diabetes. The difficult task of changing patients' behavior is given special emphasis. The chapters in this practical volume are written by a wide range of international experts, reflecting the editor's distinguished, internationally renowned career. The volume is organized in eight sections: an introduction to the overall issue of prevention, definitions of values based on ADA guidelines, pathophysiology, discussion of a range of interventional trials regarding prevention, and an overview of state-of-the-art clinical management approaches. Comprehensive and timely, Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes: From Science to Therapy is an essential reference for those treating and researching Type 2 Diabetes.

These comprehensive yet concise collections of articles by world experts survey the latest findings on the molecular biology of diabetes and insulin action and synthesize a coherent understanding of the subject. Topics include the etiology of type I and type II diabetes, molecular and cellular aspects of insulin action, and the mechanism of the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake.

This volume provides comprehensive coverage of the current knowledge of the physiology of the endocrine system and hormone synthesis and release, transport, and action at the molecular and cellular levels. It presents essential as well as in-depth information of value to both medical students and specialists in Endocrinology, Gynecology, Pediatrics, and Internal Medicine. Although it is well established that the endocrine system regulates essential functions involved in growth, reproduction, and homeostasis, it is increasingly being recognized that this complex regulatory system comprises not only hormones secreted by the classic endocrine glands but also hormones and regulatory factors produced by many organs, and involves extensive crosstalk with the neural and immune system. At the same time, our knowledge of the molecular basis of hormone action has greatly improved. Understanding this complexity of endocrine physiology is crucial to prevent endocrine disorders, to improve the sensitivity of our diagnostic tools, and to provide the rationale for pharmacological, immunological, or genetic interventions. It is such understanding that this book is designed to foster.

The Year Book of Medicine brings you abstracts of the articles that reported the year's breakthrough developments in medicine, carefully selected from more than 500 journals worldwide. Expert commentaries evaluate the clinical importance of each article and discuss its application to your practice. There's no faster or easier way to stay informed! Sections are included on Rheumatology, Infectious Disease, Hematology and Oncology, Kidney, Water, and Electrolytes, Pulmonary Disease, Heart and Cardiovascular Disease, The Digestive System, and Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism.

During the past decade, the continued interest in insulin-related growth factors has been documented by a plethora of research programs and publications focused on these growth factors. Both molecular and cellular biological techniques have improved and enabled investigators to study the properties of the growth factors in depth.
This volume covers the molecular (genetic) aspects of the growth factors, their binding proteins and receptors, as well as those factors affecting their gene transcription and translation. In addition, aspects of the cellular action of these growth factors through their receptors and how this impacts normal cellular function are discussed. The book will provide valuable information for researchers in physiology, biology, endocrinology, and metabolism.